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AIHA Comments on OSHA Reform Legislation
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is concerned about changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, by way of a letter to Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY), chairman of the
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Offering comments on one bill from his long-awaited package of occupational health and safety legislation, AIHA sees the “Occupational Safety Fairness Act” (S. 2066) as a bill that would provide numerous changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

AIHA is interested in any amendments to the OSH Act that may have an impact on the health and safety of workers. Most of the issues Sen. Enzi addresses in S. 2066 have a direct impact on worker health and safety, while others more directly address the process used by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

AIHA previously provided comments on the other two bills (“Occupational Safety Partnership Act,” S. 2065 and “HazCom Simplification and Modernization Act of 2005,” S. 2067) in the OSHA reform package of Sen. Enzi. The full text of AIHA’s letter is available at www.aiha.org under “Government Affairs.”

For more information regarding AIHA’s comments to Sen. Enzi or other questions concerning AIHA Government Affairs, contact Aaron Trippler, AIHA director of government affairs, at (703) 846-
0730 or atrippler@aiha.org.

Lack of Engineering Controls Blamed For Explosion
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is blaming a lack of engineering controls, process hazards and untreated window glass for an explosion and injuries at a medical products sterilization facility in Ontario, CA, in August 2004.

In its final investigation report into the explosion that injured four employees and severely damaged the facility, disrupting its operations for nine months, the CSB says the explosion and injuries at Sterigenics International Inc. occurred when ethylene oxide gas, used for medical product sterilization, was ignited by the flames in a pollution control device called a catalytic oxidizer.

“Our investigation revealed several factors that led to the explosion,” said CSB Lead Investigator Randy McClure. “The company did not conduct a thorough explosion hazard analysis, did not
ensure that a maintenance supervisor with the authority to override safety systems understood the potential dangers involved in the process, and did not have adequate engineering controls in place to prevent an explosion.”

The investigation determined that the ethylene oxide, which is highly explosive, was not properly removed from the sterilization chamber because a maintenance supervisor authorized technicians to bypass a critical safety step, called “gas washing.”

In addition, investigators determined that Sterigenics did not ensure that the maintenance supervisor understood the hazards of the process before entrusting him with the authority to bypass critical
safety systems.

The report also noted that the facility was not designed with engineering controls such as explosive concentration monitoring systems, which would have prevented the explosive gas from reaching
the catalytic oxidizer. Other CSB findings indicated that Sterigenics did not conduct a thorough explosion hazard analysis, or adopt earlier recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Those recommendations stated that sterilization facilities should address the explosion hazard presented by catalytic oxidizers by implementing additional engineering controls.

CSB Board Member John Bresland said, “Oxidizers are commonly used for reducing air pollution. However, they have been the source of many explosions. There is a serious risk if the fuel-air mixture
is too concentrated. Facilities with oxidizers should use multiple layers of protection - such as gas monitors, safety interlocks, and alarms - to prevent a single mistake from leading to an explosion.”

The Board recommended that the NFPA, which creates fire codes used widely around the country, require additional safeguards to prevent explosions at ethylene oxide facilities, specifically: gas
concentration monitoring equipment, alarms, and explosion damage control devices. The Board recommended that Sterigenics install similar safety devices and improve its employee training and hazard analysis programs.

The CSB has produced a video report on the incident, including a computer-generated animation describing the accident scenario as well as CSB safety recommendations, which may be viewed at the agency’s website, CSB.gov. A DVD including this and six other CSB safety videos may be obtained at no charge by filling out a request form on the website. For more, go to www.csb.gov.

Manufacturing, Production Jobs Have Highest Eye Injury Rates
New research brings the impact of eye safety at work into sharp focus. According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 36,000 eye injuries occurred in the American workplace
in 2004.

The report also showed that manufacturing or production jobs had the highest eye injury rates, followed by installation, maintenance and repair, and construction.

Men comprised 80 percent of the eye injury total and those aged 25-34 reported the most eye injuries.
Many of these injuries occurred after being struck by an object or after rubbing the eye once debris had entered it.

The good news, according to Prevent Blindness America, is that 90 percent of all job-related eye injuries can be prevented simply by wearing the proper protection. Only eye protection that has been
certified by the American National Standards Institute should be used and must have “ANSI Z87” clearly stamped on the frame or lens.

“It is vital for employers and employees to make eye safety a number one priority every single day,” said Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America. “Even the most skilled and experienced workers can be involved in an unforeseen accident and have their vision altered forever.”

Because most of these potentially blinding injuries can be prevented, Prevent Blindness America created the Wise Owl program. The program offers safety education materials to employers so their
employees are prepared to avoid eye accidents and recognizes companies and individuals
who have saved vision through dedication to eye protection.

As of 2003, the U.S. Dept. of Labor estimates that eye injuries total more than $300 million a year in lost production time, medical expenses and worker compensation.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers ensure the safety of all employees in the work environment, including providing eye and face protection whenever necessary.

Prevent Blindness America designated March as “Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month” in an effort to raise awareness about the necessity of eye safety on the job. It offers the following tips to promote
safety in the workplace:
• Safety eyewear must have “ANSI Z87” clearly marked on all glasses or goggles and should be worn at all times whenever eye hazards are present.
• Workers should know where the nearest eye wash station is at their job site and how to use it.
• Employers should be notified immediately if safety hazards are discovered.
• Employees should have regular eye exams to make sure their vision is adequate to do their jobs safely.
• Those who already have reduced vision should ask their employers if prescription glasses or goggles can be provided.

Prevent Blindness America offers several free fact sheets and brochures to safety managers and consumers including Eye Safety is No Accident, Questions on Eye Safety at Work and Workplace
Safety Quiz. Employers may also request information on the Wise Owl safety education program by calling 1-800-331-2020.

Green Seal Releases Draft of Green Cleaning Services Standard
Green Seal has announced the availability of its proposed Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services for public review and comment until Tuesday, May 2, 2006.

Both the draft Standard and an accompanying background document are posted on the non-profit organization’s Web site at www.greenseal.org/draftdocs.htm.

Comments on the Standard should be directed to: Jack Geibig, director of the Center for
Clean Products and Clean Technologies at the University of Tennessee, Attn: Green Seal Cleaning Services Standard, email: cvanriper@mindspring.com, or by Postal Mail/Overnight Courier: Jack
Geibig UT Center for Clean Products, 311 Conference Center Bldg. Knoxville, TN 37996, or fax: (865) 974-1838 (please, no more than 10 pages).

“All comments received from the public review will be considered and responded to in a comment-response document that also will be made available.

The proposed Standard will be revised and the Stakeholder Committee will review both the comment-response document and draft final Standard,” said Arthur Weissman, Ph.D., president and
CEO of Green Seal.

“The Stakeholder Committee consists of representatives from product and equipment manufacturers, trade associations, government agencies, building service contractors, building owners and operators, public-interest organizations and institutions such as universities.

“The Stakeholder Committee will vote on the draft final Standard. If necessary, further revisions will be made in order toachieve consensus. The final Standard will then be issued, sent to all Stakeholder participants, and posted on Green Seal’s Web site.”

The final version of the Standard is expected to be released in June 2006. Estonian Art Museum Installs Gas Detection System Honeywell Analytics, a manufacturer of toxic and flammable gas and fire detection systems, has supplied a ‘masterpiece’ of gas detection to the new main building of the Art Museum of Estonia, the Kumu Art Museum, in Tallinn.

Honeywell Analytics’ Sensepoint gas detectors and Unipoint controllers being used to monitor for potential fire hazards, hang as an integral part of the building management system of the Kumu complex.

The units are part of the cost-effective and easy-to-use Zareba range of fixed gas detection systems for industrial and commercial applications.

The Sensepoint flammable gas detector is equipped with the Honeywell Analytics’ proprietary Surecell electrochemical sensing technology and poison-resistant catalytic beads. It has easily replaceable
sensors and offers users a low cost solution to their gas monitoring needs, indoors or outdoors.

The Unipoint DIN rail mounted controller enables users to easily expand and maintain the detection system without interrupting neighboring devices. It can be installed into any plastic or metal enclosure
for use indoors or outdoors and even in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The seven-story Kumu building opened its doors to the public on Feb. 18, 2006 and houses the largest permanent exhibition of Estonian art in the world with exhibition halls spanning 5,000 square
meters. The museum has over 55,000 art objects in its collection, of which 1,500 are on display at any one time, and meets all the international museum standards that enable it to bring valuable works to
Estonia from abroad.

“This cultural, world-class project with The Art Museum of Estonia has been a great opportunity for Honeywell Analytics” says Chris Cottrell, vice president of sales and marketing. “As one of the most spectacular museums in Europe, we are proud to be a part of this ambitious project.”

DuPont Installs Solar Panels to Study Renewable Energy
DuPont has announced the launch of a solar energy program at its Chestnut Run facilities to further its research in next generation solar panel technology.

The company has installed three rows of large photovoltaic solar panels to convert the sun’s energy into electricity for an existing R&D and business facility at the site. The system, which can provide enough electricity for eight homes, was installed by WorldWater & Power Corp. The solar panels were made by GE Energy in Newark, DE. The system is being equally funded by DuPont and a Green Energy Fund grant from the Delaware Energy Office.

“Our primary focus is to lower the energy cost by improving the efficiency and lifetime of solar panels,” said Cynthia C. Green, DuPont Fluoroproducts vice president and general manager. “Studying the
on-site panels will allow us to do just that, using an installed commercial system. We are also looking for ways to provide better installations with better design capabilities. Our goal is to have something that is ultimately integrated into a system that is lighter weight, easier to install and better integrated with building design.”

DuPont Chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr. said, “This is a great example of our science and innovation providing materials that enable businesses and consumers to convert sunlight directly into
electricity. Our ‘One DuPont’ offering across businesses provides sustainable business solutions that will give us a competitive advantage in the growing market space of renewable energy technology.”

DuPont has made a corporate commitment to have at least 10 percent of its power produced by renewable energy sources by 2010, some of which will be supplied through solar panel technology.
Today, more than 5 percent of its power is produced by renewable energy sources. Solar panels convert light into electrical energy through the use of photovoltaic solar cells. The cell assemblies
are encapsulated into water-resistant panels for protection from moisture and impact. The company has plans to invest approximately $100 million to expand its product offerings in this rapidly
growing market.

With better efficiency, DuPont expects that the cost for solar panels will begin to decrease, in turn reducing the cost per watt of power produced for a business or home. While the solar panels are still expensive, the purchase of solar panels guarantees an electricity supply for residential
homes for at least 25 years.

The principal components of a solar panel include glass, encapsulate, silicon wafers and associated metallization and circuitry, and a protective backsheet. With the exception of the silicon, DuPont provides technological solutions for each component.

Airgas Wins CGA Bulk Gas Fleet Safety Award
Airgas, Inc., a distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases and safety products, has been awarded the Bulk Gas Fleet Safety Award by the Compressed Gas Association (CGA), recognizing
its best safety record among bulk fleets with more than 20 million miles driven in 2005.

CGA bases its Fleet Safety Awards on a CGA member’s total vehicle accident frequency rate per million miles driven.

Two awards honor bulk gas fleets with more than 20 million miles driven and those fleets with less than 20 million miles driven. Two more awards go to the cylinder vehicle fleets with more and less than 3 million miles driven.

This was the first year that Airgas bulk drivers surpassed the 20-million milestone to compete among the industry’s largest bulk gas fleets. Airgas, which has the largest cylinder delivery fleet among CGA
members, won the CGA Cylinder Fleet Safety Award in 2001 and 2002.

“While Airgas is proud to have won the Cylinder Fleet Safety Award twice, this is our first honor for those drivers who deliver bulk atmospheric, carbon dioxide and dry ice,” said Airgas Chairman and
CEO Peter McCausland. “Our safety performance in the last year demonstrates that we are growing this segment of our business in the right way.”

In accepting the award at the CGA annual meeting last week in Fort Lauderdale, FL, McCausland singled out Duane Young, director of SAFECOR, and John Anderson, director of DOT operations,
who coordinates fleet safety training for Airgas. SAFECOR is the Airgas department responsible for coordinating safety, compliance, and regulatory affairs.

“In 2005, nearly 3,000 Airgas drivers drove about 80 million miles, including 25 million bulk miles and 38 million cylinder miles,” said Young. “Even though we have more vehicles driving more miles than in past years, Airgas drivers have focused on lowering preventable and total vehicle accident rates
during the past year. We are especially proud of the performance of our bulk drivers, who had a total accident rate of just 1.38 per million miles driven.”